Peter eyler



P. EYLER.

COLLAPSIBLE EGG CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28. NH].

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

INVENTOR WITNESSES ATTO R N EY COLLAPSIBLE EGG CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY ZB. 1918.

1 ,3 1 4,862. Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- INVENTOR WITNESSES 762-9, W97} M72221? BY ATTOR N EV PETER EYLER, 0F YORK, NEBRASKA.

COLLAPSIBLE EGG-CRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

Application filed May 28, 1918. Serial No. 237,068.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PETER EYLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at York, in the county of York and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Egg- Crates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to knock-down crates, and more particularly to egg crates. One object of the invention is to provide a collapsible crate of extremely simple and practical construction, which may be quickly folded into compact form, suitable for shipping or storage.

Another object is to provide a folding crate which may be set up and collapsed in minimum time, with minimum labor, and which, when collapsed, will occupy minimum space.

Another object is to provide a crate of this character having locking bails for hold-. ing it in both set up and collapsed position.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a crateconstructed in accordancewith this invention set up ready for use with parts broken out,

Fig. 2 is asimilar view of the crate c01- lapsed ready for transportation with parts broken out, 1

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof,

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line H of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 is anend elevation thereof.

In the embodiment illustrated, 1 represents the bottom of the crate which is constructed of sheet metal, preferably of galvanized iron and has upstanding side flanges 2'and end flanges 3, preferably made integral therewith, the free edges of these side and end members have hinge knuckles 2 and 3 formed by rolling the edges of said members inwardly, and which are designed to cooperate with similar knuckles 4 an 5' carried by the lower edges of side menu ere end of its other arm.

4 and end members 5, whereby said members are hingedly connected with the members 2.

Carried on the inner faces of the end members 5 at their upper ends near the corners thereof are latches in the form of angular bracket-like members 8 pivotally connected at 9 to the end members 5, and.

having laterally opening slots in the free Studs 11 are carried by the inner faces of the side members 4 near the corners in position to be engaged by the slots 10 in the latches 8 when said latches are swung downwardly into operative position as shown in Fig. 1.

From the above description it will be obvious that to disengage these latches when the crate is to be collapsed, all that is necessary is to swing them upwardly on their pivots 9 and then permit them to swing inwardly against the faces of their respective members. It is of course to be understood that one of these latches is placed at each corner of the crate.

disposed transversely within the crate with its ends engaged in seats 12 formed in the side walls of the members 4 as is shown clearly in Figs. 3 and 4. When the crate is to be collapsed, this partition 12 is slipped A removable partition 12 is adapted to be out of its seats and placed within the crate.

Locking bails 13 composed of heavy wire a or rods here shown substantially rectangular in form, are hingedly mounted in bearings 14 carried by the outer faces ofthe end members 5 as is shown clearly in Figs. 1, 3 and 5. These bails 13. are designed for locking the crate top 15 in position when the crate is either setup or collapsed, as is shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The top 15 has right-angularly disposed edge flanges 16 which are. designed tofit' Over the upper edges of the side members 4 and end members 5 when the crate is set up as shown in Fi s. 1 and 3, and to fit over themembers 2 an 8' when the crate in col lapsed as'shown in Fig. 2. The side flanges ofthe top have cut-out portions or notches 17 therein to accommodatethe ends of the bails When the crate is in collapsed position as shown in Fig.1 2. V

Secured to the outer face of top are a plurality ofbailretaining members, three of Which are here shown, tWo end members 18 and 19' and a centrally disposedlmember 20.

V The end clips 18 and 19 open toward each 7 other, and are designed to receive the free ends: of the bails 13'When the crate is in 'collapsed position as is shown clearly in Fig. 15

2, and tojyieldingly hold them in this position. Thefcentral clip '20, has a securing element 21 fastening it intermediately of its endsto the top 15 and itsends. are bent to form bail engaging members 22 Which open in opposite directions to receive the free ends f'o f .the bail 13 when the crate is in set-up 7 closed position as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

, "It Will-thus be seen that With a crate constructed of sheet metal'in the manner above described, it may be readily set up and knocked down and held in either position byengagement of the locking bails With the clips as above described, thelatches 8 op "erating to hold the side and end members 30 together when in set-up position.

i Thlscrate of course,-may be made of any suitable or desired size, according to the number of eggs it is designed to carry.

The foregoing description and the drawin'gs have reference to hat may be considered the preferred or approved'form of my invention. It isto be understood thatI may make such changes in construction; and ar-- frangernent and combination'of parts, ma-

terials, dimensions, etc, as mayrprove expedient and fall Within the .iscope" offthe' claimed invention.

, Having thus fully described inven-i "tion, What I claim as new and desire to" secure by Letters Patent, is

. 1 collapsible crate COIIIPI'lSlHg a body} 7 portion having foldable'side and end'members, locking bails pivoted to the foldable j "end members, a removable top havingflanges to fit over saidside and end members,'and codperating elements on said top forfengagement by said bails whereby the mem bers maybe locked in either set up or col- 2; 'A collapsi cofiica 'oflthis pat'ent may De trained for 'is collapsed.

five cents each, byaddressing Washington, I); 0.

With said bailsfor locking the side and end members in either set. upror collapsed posi-' tion.

3. A collapsible crate, comprising a body portion having foldable side and end members, locking bails pivoted to the foldable end members, a removable, top ,having flanges to fit over said side and end mem- V bers, a centrally'disposed spring clip on said 7 top having bail receiving elements opening in opposite directi'onsto receive said'ba'ils V and lock the crate Whenset up.

4:. A collapsible crate comprising a body :1

portion having foldalble side. and end ,mem

bers, locking bails pivoted to the foldable en'dmembers, a removabletop having flanges to fit over said sideand end members, a cen-; '7 trally disposed spring clip on said top hava ing bail receiving elements opening infopposite directions to receivesaid balls and.

lock the'crate when set up,"and clips spaced from said central clip fon opposite sides 7 thereof and opening toward each other to' receiveand lock said bails When the crate V.

5. 'A' collapsible 'crate comprising a bottom having upstanding side and end wallsfixed thereto,- side and end walls hinged to said fixed side and .end Walls and foldable in Wardly, latch members pivotally mounted on-one of said foldable members, cooperat-.

ing elements onsaid latch member and the adjacent foldable member for interlocking engagementvvhereby said members are held in upright position, bails pivotally mounted on said foldable end members, a top'flange'd *to fit over the upper ends of said foldable members When in operative position, and

means on said top for'engagement by said' 6. A collapsible crate comprising a bot-" tom member, ends and sides hinged thereto bails to lock'rthe crate inset up posit on;

to fold inwardly, detachable means 7 for holding said members; in upright operative posi I tion, a cover havlng flanges to shut down;

over said members, the side "flanges of said i cover being notched, clips carri ed fby upper face, and bails pivotedonthe other.

faces of said foldable end imenibersz and:

adapted to 'interlockingly engage said clips whereby the .crate may be locked in either set up or collapsed position, the bails lying collapsed V H i testimony whereof 'I affix my signature in presence of two'witnesses.

'Witness'es:

E. L. RoYeY, R: LJBROLL, j

TPETER'EYLER. f i

said flanged notches 'vvhenthe crate is the (loznmissioner of Patents, 

